Scalpel



July 19, 1927.

A. MACLURE SCALPEL Filed Dec. 14 1926-" Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED js r A'TES ALBERT MAGLURE, OF WOONSOGKET, RHODE ISLAND.

SCALPEL.

Application filed December 14, 1926. Serial No. 154,781.

5 upon knives of this class by providing one wherein the blade is detachable from the handle to permit ready replacement and removal.

It is the customary practice to have the blade permanently fastened to the handle,

results when used and after each operation to sterilize the instrument for sanitary reasons. It is my idea however, to have the blade removable so that it can be taken off and thrown away after the operation, somewhat as is the case with the ordinary safety razor.

thedblade becomes somewhat dull use on contagious anatomy becomes laden with germs such as might promote injurious on another patient. My idea is to overcome this by employing a new blade for each operation.

In carrying out this end Iconstruct the handle with a main groove, and a countergroove, the shank of the blade being fitted into the latter and there being a slidable retaining plate fitted into the main groove for holding the blade in place.

In the drawing 7 v Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a scalpel constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 represents a fragmentary end view with the blade removed.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the blade itself.

Figure 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail it will be seen that the reference character 1 designates a handle which ma be of any appropriate material and con guration to facilitate handling and efiicient manipulation. As stated, this handle is formed at one end and on one side with a main groove 2 which opens through the end and a counter-groove 3 which also opens through the end. The counter-groove has an enlarged portion 4 at its inner end. The corresponding end of the Naturallyand when groove 2 is round. Also the longitudinal walls of the groove 2 are undercut as shown in Figure 4.

The .blade is represented by the reference '7 character 5 and it includes a relatively small shank 6 having a rounded head 7. Aseis customary, the blade is characterized by a sharp cutting edge 8 and a small point 9.

The retaining plate 10. is simply in the form of a slide having beveled edges fitting into the undercut portions of the grooves 2 and having a round end fitting into the correspondingly shaped end of this groove. In addition, this retaining plate is formed with depressions 11 forming recesses for reception of the tips of the tion and removal.

With this arrangement it is obvious that the headed and reduced shank of the blade is fitted into the correspondingly shaped groove and then the slide and retaining plate 10 is placed in position so that the parts assume the relationship shown better ure 1 when. the instrument is in use.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description and drawing that I have evolved an exceptionally simple and inexpensive scalpel which may be employed in an exceptionally efiicient manner in dissecting human anatomy. Of course, ployed in the same manner as the ordinary fingers to facilitate inserscalpel for surgicaloperations, but the important advantage is in having the blade removable so that after each operation it may be disconnected from the handle and thrown away. My idea is to promote sanitation in surgical operations of this kind to minimize transfer of diseases from one person to another. No doubt by considering the description in connection with the drawings a clear understandin of the invention will be had. Therefore a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary. I

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that minor changes in size, shape, and arrangement coming within the to if desired.

in Fig- 7 the instrument is em- Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is A scalpel for surgical use comprising a handle having a main groove and counteroove formed at one end and in one side, a cutting blade having a cutting edge, a small point, a reduced centralized shank having a rounded head, said shank being fitted into said countergroove and said countergroove being shaped to conform to said shank and head, the opposite longitudinal edges of said main groove being undercut, and a retaining plate fitted slidably into said main groove and having beveled edges cooperating with the undercut portions of the groove.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ALBERT MACLURE. 

